ABOUT THE PROJECT

Pietro Fiorentini, Terranova and Reti Più are partners in the Life+ 2013 Project called “Life Green Gas Network” (Project n. LIFE13 ENV/IT/000536), EU financial instrument that supports environmental action projects aimed to preserve the nature and the climate throughout the European Union.

The project aims to demonstrate the possibility of implementing a new management and control system for the adjustment of pressure levels of the natural gas distribution network.

The main core of the project is the implementation a new remote communications management software between network and control center, together with a real time data processing, in order to optimize the pressure in each sector of the network. This system aims to reduce at least by 3% the greenhouse gas emissions caused by the gas leakages.

The natural gas distribution networks may experience gas leakages near old junction points between tubes and valves that are parts of the distribution system, or as a consequence of damages such as excavations or vehicle collisions: these losses are directly proportional to the pressure at which the gas is kept in order to ensure the proper quality of service standards.
How can we balance the two apparently opposed needs, minimizing the leakages caused by damages and maximizing the quality standards offered to the users?
The answer to this question lies in the development of new technologies that allowto reach the right balance between these needs, when successfully implemented.
The "Life Green Gas Network" project aims to demonstrate the feasibility of a new management and control system for the pressure levels regulation in the natural gas distribution network. In order to reach this purpose, the project involves the development, the test and the actual implementation of a new software for the management of remote communications between network and control center. Furthermore, real time data processing allows the real time pressure optimization in each network’s sector.

Thanks to this system, our team forecasts that the greenhouse gas emissions caused by the abovementioned gas leakages should decrease by at least 3%.

With reference to the purposes that the project aims to reach once the system will be active and operating, these will be expected results of the project:

1. Significantly lower pressure values during off-peak hours on the network test areas (Albiate and Cesate Municipalities), once the new automatic pressure regulation system will be online for low (BP) and medium pressure (MP) and for all types of pipes, steel or polyethylene (PE ), as shown below:

Albiate, MP, steel: 1 bar instead of 2 bar

Albiate, MP, PE: 0,5 bar instead of 0,9 bar

Albiate, MP, steel and PE: 20 mbar instead of 24 mbar

Cesate, MP, steel and PE: 1.5 bar instead of 2.5 bar

Cesate, LP, steel and PE: 25 mbar instead of 40 mbar

With these values a reduction of at least 3% of the gas leakages will be obtained, and, consequently, a reduction of the GHG emissions. The total amount of gas saved in the network’s section involved in the test phase will consist of 467 CO2 TEQ;

2. In relation to the service levels, the goal is to maintain a pressure level for all the delivery points of the network section involved in the test of 18 mbar or higher. With reference to the network’s balancing, the goal is not recording significant variations of speed and/or flow inversions in any of the pipes belonging to the network’s test area;

3. The new system must ensure the safety standards requested by the ATEX legislation, it has to be self-powered with no connections to the electric grid in case the latest is not already available and, from a performance point of view, it must be able to allow at least a pressure modulation procedure per minute on all the pressure regulators;

Dissemination activities have to reach the following purposes: publication of articles on at least 2 different publications about gas and participation in 4 events (exhibitions and seminars) in Europe and in Italy, involving at least 2.000 people.

Data stored in the GR data logger and subsequent statistical and numerical processing.

ACTION B2

Development and installation of the control and regulation devices on the network (FIO Smart Unit device prototypes).

20 control devices were replaced in full and for the others it was sufficient to carry out modifications and partially replace subsystems (head or FIO kit or pilot).

YES

The following measurements were taken:

- measurement of gas flow rate with 4% full scale precision

- Automatic pressure regulation

- Pressure monitoring with 1,0 % precision

- Integrated GPRS communication with control and supervision centre.

verification that the aforementioned performance levels are also maintained under real operating conditions

Development of device prototypes independent power supply modules

The development of the microturbine project has to be developed through to the prototype stage and functional testing (laboratory and field tests).

YES

Step 1: Laboratory testing and definition of improvements to be implemented.

Step 2: field testing on modified prototypes with positive results.

Installation of photovoltaic system to independently power the control devices on the network.

The installation of 11 photovoltaic panels on the GRF units was planned. Electricity from the grid is available for the remaining units.

YES

The panels were installed and provided the energy required throughout testing.

ACTION B3

Development of control algorithms

The algorithms were developed; implementation of planned functions, management and control functions 75% completed, they depend on the configuration of the devices installed on the network: will therefore be completed in Action B4

YES

simulations to check functionality

Implementation of network management software

implementation of planned functions 85% complete management and control functions not yet complete, they depend on the configuration of devices installed on the network: will therefore be completed in Action B4

YES

simulations to check functionality

Development of graphical user interfaces

Development of management and control functions 90% complete, they depend on the configuration of devices installed on the network: will therefore be completed in Action B4

YES

simulations to check functionality

Integration with GR cartographic software

Integration 100% complete

YES

simulations to check functionality

System capacity to perform a modulation operation every minute (from the central unit to all regulation devices).

implementation of planned functions 100% complete

YES

simulations to check functionality

ACTIOM B4

- Possibility of monitoring and regulating the network continually in a reliable, precise manner

Management of the network for at least 12 months under the new control and regulation criteria

YES

Collection of network data and subsequent processing for 12 months.

Reduction in gas leaks compared with the current situation: > 3.0 %

Processing of test data using the numerical model to estimate losses

YES

Based on the analysis of data measured in the field: Reduction in gas leaks

Automatic network balancing: gas flows must never reverse within the network under any operating conditions

The management of the network under the new control and regulation criteria is planned in the coming months

YES

Analysis of the data

ACTION C1

Calculation of the reduction in gas leaks and therefore the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions

Reduction equivalent to at least 3%

Yes

Comparison between the data collected during the 12 months and the data during the final 12 months with the new management system

ACTION C2

Collection of possible socio-economic effects of the new product /process

Compilation of socio-economic impact report

YES

The report was completed in time (see DLV m).

ACTION D

Creation of the communication plan

Definition planned on 30/11/14

YES

See annex IR

Website development

put online by 30/11/2014; gradual implementation of functions and information.

YES

2770 sessions, average of 3.45 pages/session;

Average duration of 2.21 minutes;

64.84% new sessions;

Bounce rate 59.35%

Attendance at trade fairs and events

Attendance at at least two industry trade fairs

YES

Attendance at

WGC 2015 Paris

EUW 2015 Wien

EUW 2016 Barcellona

Keyenergy 2016 Rimini

International Gas Professional Meeting Croazia 2017

Publications in specialist magazines

At least 1-2 publications in specialist magazines (at month 36)

YES

Article in CH4 (May - November 2015; 700 copie)

Parliament Magazine (16/05/2016; 2500 copie + 23.500 followers)

Platinum 2017 (luglio 17; 140.000 copie + 3,5 M consultazioni /mese)

Canale Energia (12-19-26/10/15 e 5/11/15)

See DLV q

Final Project Conference

100 attendees are expected

YES

65 attendees

ACTION E1

Implementation of an activity control and monitoring system

Management of activities and control of project progress

YES

Regular coordination meetings

Technical reports on activities implemented.

The activity continued until the end of the project

Implementation of the financial control system to monitor costs v. project budget

Control of costs incurred for each individual beneficiary and joint budget

YES

Regular update until the end of the project on costs for each beneficiary; completion of lists of details and summary

totals

SC meeting

SC meeting at least every six months; The activity will continue until the end of the project